First time

[AJCts411]

We are planning a one week trip to Hawaii in 2026 end of sept/first of Oct. We are week owners in Key West. Our preferences are (walkable if possible) bar/food/music, beach, and sightseeing. We will be renting a car. Which island would you recommend for first timers? (possibly one of the Hilton systems, not sure which)

 

[TheHolleys87]

The Big Islad is my favorite due to volcanoes, black sand beaches, tropical gardens, cattle ranches, astronomical observatories, and snow-capped peaks, all on one island. There are not a lot of sandy beaches but the ones they have are beautiful. My parents bought into Kona Coast, now a Wyndham, so we’ve always stayed there, and as a result I don’t know about other resorts.

 

[Luanne]

The Big Islad is my favorite due to volcanoes, black sand beaches, tropical gardens, cattle ranches, astronomical observatories, and snow-capped peaks, all on one island. There are not a lot of sandy beaches but the ones they have are beautiful. My parents bought into Kona Coast, now a Wyndham, so we’ve always stayed there, and as a result I don’t know about other resorts.

There are Hilton properties in the Waikoloa resort area. We love the Big Island but I don't know if I would recommend it for a first visit.

We own, not a Hilton, on Maui and love going there. There is one Hilton property in Kihei.

 

[vacationtime1]

We are planning a one week trip to Hawaii in 2026 end of sept/first of Oct. We are week owners in Key West. Our preferences are (walkable if possible) bar/food/music, beach, and sightseeing. We will be renting a car. Which island would you recommend for first timers? (possibly one of the Hilton systems, not sure which)

There are no wrong answers.

Kauai -- if you like hiking
Oahu -- for foodies
Hawaii -- the Volcano
Maui -- my favorite

 

[SmithOp]

Waikiki if you want walkable, in fact a car is not recommended. The tour companies will pick you up at the Hilton transit center.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

#1 detail needed: how much do you prioritize the BEACH and going in the OCEAN.
#2 detail: bringing kids? how many people total?
If you prioritize that much and want something "Hilton", I tend to say Kaanapali, the HVC property. Maui is tough to pass up as a 1st-timer + Hilton.
If beach/ocean less important, Poipu? Hokulani in Waikiki? or some non-Hilton? non-Hilton, the Kauai & Big Isle ppl have their say

 

[davidvel]

I would strongly recommend against Oahu for a 1st visit, as you will not get the true essence of Hawaii, and may never return. It is like San Fransicso and Las Vegas on a large beachfront. Cars and people up and down the street blaring noise till midnight and after. Huge crowds, lots of shopping you can do on the mainland. You never get on Hawaii time. If you still want Oahu you could do KoOlina, which allows you to escape all the crowds and noise. But I think Maui is the best compromise for a 1st visit.

 

[Yzfguy06]

I would strongly recommend against Oahu for a 1st visit, as you will not get the true essence of Hawaii, and may never return. It is like San Fransicso and Las Vegas on a large beachfront. Cars and people up and down the street blaring noise till midnight and after. Huge crowds, lots of shopping you can do on the mainland. You never get on Hawaii time. If you still want Oahu you could do KoOlina, which allows you to escape all the crowds and noise. But I think Maui is the best compromise for a 1st visit.

I agree with this. Visit the Maui, Kauai, Hawaii island, then Oahu. Unless you plan on staying outside of the main cities.

 

[artringwald]

There are no wrong answers.

I agree. It's personal preference. We love Kauai the most because of it's stunning natural beauty. We purchased a timeshare at Hilton's The Point at Poipu in 2004 and have been back every year since then, except this year. Poipu does not feel crowded, has plenty of dining and shopping, and is on the south side which is the sunniest part of the island. Kauai has a law that none of the buildings can be taller than a palm tree. Here's some pictures we've taken over the years at P@P.

The Point at Poipu - Art & Jo Ringwald

Our favorite pictures from several stays at The Point at Poipu

artringwald.smugmug.com

If you decide to go to Maui, Hilton's Kaanapali Beach Club is also a good place to stay, if you can settle for a one bedroom.

 

[AJCts411]

#1 detail needed: how much do you prioritize the BEACH and going in the OCEAN.
#2 detail: bringing kids? how many people total?
If you prioritize that much and want something "Hilton", I tend to say Kaanapali, the HVC property. Maui is tough to pass up as a 1st-timer + Hilton.
If beach/ocean less important, Poipu? Hokulani in Waikiki? or some non-Hilton? non-Hilton, the Kauai & Big Isle ppl have their say

#1 beach, lounging on the beach over the pool is preferred. from 1 low to 10 high...6 or 7 sort of thing. #2 no kids seniors as would be our traveling friends (2) walking is a bit limited, we wouldn't do a hiking trail. Hilton as this is a private trade deal we are looking at. (3 different islands I believe, Waikiki was mentioned in our last conversation ) Thanks everyone for their input very much appreciated as this is a one time trip, don't expect to return.

 

[Luanne]

#1 beach, lounging on the beach over the pool is preferred. from 1 low to 10 high...6 or 7 sort of thing. #2 no kids seniors as would be our traveling friends (2) walking is a bit limited, we wouldn't do a hiking trail. Hilton as this is a private trade deal we are looking at. (3 different islands I believe, Waikiki was mentioned in our last conversation ) Thanks everyone for their input very much appreciated as this is a one time trip, don't expect to return.

I wonder how many people have said that before their first visit to Hawaii.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

wonder how many people have said that before their first visit to Hawaii

Truth there, but I'd guess it depends greatly on where someone lives. I lived on the East Coast for 2/3 of my life. I never flew from there to HI. I think it is likely I never would have if I stayed on the East Coast. (I'd prob just go all out and fly to Bora Bora or Tahiti from there)
If someone gave me a trip to HI from Boston at an age approaching 70, and I flew to HI and loved it, I still think there is a great chance I would not return. There are plenty of great places in the Caribe

 

[WaikikiFirst]

#1 beach, lounging on the beach over the pool is preferred. from 1 low to 10 high...6 or 7 sort of thing. #2 no kids seniors as would be our traveling friends

Ah, so you need a 2 bdrm? or 2 x 1 bdrm? Art seems to say that on Maui, Hilton's Kaanapali Beach Club is only 1 bdrm. I never stayed there. The location seems perfect, but I never stayed. not even sure if it is "Hilton" enough to be part of this deal
"lounging on the beach over the pool is preferred" = same as us. Most people here assume you'll be at the pool and you'll get a lot of recs that assume, almost rely on that. That is why I put that as #1. Kingsland, BayClub (whatever it is called on Big Isle) = walk or more likely drive to beach.

 

[Luanne]

Truth there, but I'd guess it depends greatly on where someone lives. I lived on the East Coast for 2/3 of my life. I never flew from there to HI. I think it is likely I never would have if I stayed on the East Coast. (I'd prob just go all out and fly to Bora Bora or Tahiti from there)
If someone gave me a trip to HI from Boston at an age approaching 70, and I flew to HI and loved it, I still think there is a great chance I would not return. There are plenty of great places in the Caribe

A friend who lives in New York made her first trip to Hawaii several years ago. Since then I think she's been back every year.

 

[davidvel]

So I'll add a caveat to my prior post. If you really think you'll never return then you may want to include Oahu if you have interest in seeing Pearl Harbor. It is an amazing park and the Arizona memorial is very moving. But I still would say stay outside of Waikiki, somewhere like Ko Olina.

 

[AJCts411]

Thanks everyone for the info. Lots to think about.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Thanks everyone for the info. Lots to think about.

To add to this, most flights back to the mainland from HNL leave in the evening hours. We’ve frequently taken an early morning flight from Kona to HNL so we could visit Pearl Harbor during the day, then catch our flight home. Obviously you could do the same from Maui or Kauai (we have, when we visited those islands).

 

[rickandcindy23]

I wonder how many people have said that before their first visit to Hawaii.

We said that in 2000, went back in 2004, 2005, and forward. Now it's two trips a year.

 

[easyrider]

Thanks everyone for the info. Lots to think about.

If you want to see the major Hawaiian attractions I think a Hawaiian cruise on the Pride of America would do it for a one and done. It embarks & disembarks in Honolulu so staying in Waikiki on the front or back end would be easy.

Bill

 

[vacationtime1]

Guess what the per capita Visitation Rate to HI is for Americans who live in the "Eastern" USA? Make this "EVR"
Guess what the per capita Visitation Rate to HI is for Americans who live in the "Western" USA? Make this "WVR"
Guess what WVR / EVR equals?

For "Western" Americans who fly to HI, guess what % are Repeat Visitors?
For "Eastern" Americans who fly to HI, guess what % are Repeat Visitors?

For "Western" Americans who fly to HI & are Repeat Visitors, guess how many trips they have taken to HI, on avg?
For "Eastern" Americans who fly to HI & are Repeat Visitors, guess how many trips they have taken to HI, on avg?

Interesting questions (or at least interesting to me; I am somewhat nerdy that way).

Do you know the answers -- or where we can find them?

 

[TravelJoy]

The Big Islad is my favorite due to volcanoes, black sand beaches, tropical gardens, cattle ranches, astronomical observatories, and snow-capped peaks, all on one island. There are not a lot of sandy beaches but the ones they have are beautiful. My parents bought into Kona Coast, now a Wyndham, so we’ve always stayed there, and as a result I don’t know about other resorts.

Volcano is highly active right now so there is high chance for a unique experience I would vote BI given the volcano activity.

But in reality you can go to any island they will all offer very similar experiences even for first timers. You can also take day trips and island hop, do a activity and be back within hours. For instance on Kauai you could do the helicopter tour one of the most famous to do activities, for Oahu you could go to Waikiki and hike Diamondhead.

Best Hilton of course is Waikiola, We stayed at Bay Club and liked it. Although it's further away from the action and a bit of a drive, I would if preferred to stay near Captain Cook, nice resorts there also.

 

[b2bailey]

I would strongly recommend against Oahu for a 1st visit, as you will not get the true essence of Hawaii, and may never return. It is like San Fransicso and Las Vegas on a large beachfront. Cars and people up and down the street blaring noise till midnight and after. Huge crowds, lots of shopping you can do on the mainland. You never get on Hawaii time. If you still want Oahu you could do KoOlina, which allows you to escape all the crowds and noise. But I think Maui is the best compromise for a 1st visit.

The first time I went to Hawaii with my husband, we went to Honolulu for 4 nights. But, having been to other islands, I didn't want Waikiki to be his only impression. So, we drove to North Shore and then spent one night at Turtle Bay Resort. After that, he was hooked.

I recently saw that TBR is now a Ritz Carlton. I can't afford that anymore, as a widow on fixed income.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

Interesting questions (or at least interesting to me; I am somewhat nerdy that way).

Do you know the answers -- or where we can find them?

I do know the answers. If I ask questions like that on tugbbs, you can assume I know the answer or at least have a very good approx of it
Hawaii Tourism "Board?" "Authority?" whatever it is called produces a MONTHLY report with those and many other data pts about their visitors.
There is also a yearly report with even more data, some of which I struggle to understand how they know, w/o deep snooping on people's activities / spending.
Or, they could be like the B(l)S and just make it up as they go along

 

[Tamaradarann]

We are planning a one week trip to Hawaii in 2026 end of sept/first of Oct. We are week owners in Key West. Our preferences are (walkable if possible) bar/food/music, beach, and sightseeing. We will be renting a car. Which island would you recommend for first timers? (possibly one of the Hilton systems, not sure which)

Wow there are alot of different desires in your list. We live in Honolulu which is on Oahu, actually in Waikiki which is the main tourist area of Hawaii and you can easily get all of your desires here. We love the location which is right next to the beach and it is extremely walkable. We live COMFORTABLY WITHOUT A CAR. We live right across the street from the Hilton Hawaiian Village which is on the beach and has 4 timeshare buildings. However, If you get a car here the parking is extremely expensive and the traffic can be really bad at times so it is NOT recommended. You can rent a car for a day just to go around the island if you wish or take a tour bus which is readily available.

Having a car. I always say if the MUST HAVE A CAR, go to another island do not stay in Honolulu. We have been to all six Hawaiian Islands that you can go to. I would recommend the Island of Hawaii. There are 4 Hilton Timeshares in Waikola and we have stayed in all of them. With a car I would recommend Kings Land which has free parking. (The Hilton Waikola Beach Resort does not have free parking). The area is very walkable but the things you can get to are not nearly as exciting or as close as in Waikiki. The big selling point here for you is you can have a car cheaply and drive all over.

These areas are so different that I would recomment that you not limit yourself to ONE WEEK. Either come for 2 weeks (one week on a different island) or come twice. A personal note: We lived in NY and came for 2 weeks in 2007 for the first time and I swore we would never come back for less than a month. Well I kept that promise we never came back for less that 3 months from 2009 to 2020 in Timeshares and moved here in 2021.

 

[davidvel]

Use caution, the troll is out from under the bridge.